Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-02-18
Balm 7krnnehrt 5nurnal.
The Apple Tree BOrer.

From the discussion at the late fruit
growers convention held at Pennington,
it would appear that there was still an
amount of ignorance prevalent among
many really intelligent orchardists as TO
the nature and habits OF the apple-tree
borer-one OF the most destructive Insects
to the fruit grower, and one whose ravages,
il left unchecked, will in few years ruin
the most vigorous young orchard. From
the questions asked there it seemed that
several fruit growers were not acquainted
with its habits, while those of whom they
were asked-in some cases-knew little
more about it than those who made the in.
oures 1t is an enemy, however, the
nature of which should be we'll known by
every orchardist.
The mature mother beetle flies mostly
at night and on this account is rarely
seen. Harris. one of our greatest ento-
biologists, says that in the daytime the
beetle keeps at rest among the leaves on
ground and by fence sides; and Dr.
Packard, another eminent entOmologst
and close observer saws that only once
does he remember to have seen it flying
in the hottest part of The day. 1t is de-
cribed as very handsome beetle, about
three fourths OF an inch long, cylindrical
in form. of q pale brown color above,
with two broad creamy white stripes run
ming the whole length of its body.
The question was asked at this con-
vention, at what time the eggs were laid.
Some could not answer, but Mr.. Anterior
the Hallowel orchardist, said he was
satisfied they were laid as early as May
18th, in some seasoms-qualitica,ion that
was well put in. Packard, in his Guide
TO the Study of insects says in New
England its period Of laying the eggs is
July. although in the western States this
period is in May ard June. Mr.. William
Saunders OF Canada, the latest and one OF
the best authorities on insects injurious to
fruit and fruit trees. says the eggs are
laid late in June and in July" We
think with Mr.. Anterior that in some
seasons the eggs are laid as early as the
middle to last of May. Mr. Alherton
seems to be of the opinion that in some
seasons there are two broods of them.
This he states on the fact of having OBJ
served very small Larvae late in the sea-
SON Mr. Anterior is careful observer and
has studied the habits of the borer much
more than most orchardists, we think,
best books we should think him mistaken
upoh this point.
The eggs are laid, one in a place. on
the bark of the tree near its base. If
grass or weeds grow about the trunk OF
the tree the beetle, under cover of this
hiding place, will lay the eggs higher up
from the ground than in case there is no
such protection. When grass and weeds
do not grow about the tree, the eggs are
land very near the ground. The young
worms are hatched in just two ks and
Immediately begin to gnaw their way
through the outer bark in;o the interior of
the tree.
During the first year the larva or borer
remains in the sap-wood of the tree.
Generally its course is first downward.
and at the approach of winter it descends
to the lower part Of its burrow where it
remains inactive during the first winter.
During the next season it atlains about
half its growth. still living on the sap
wood, where it does great damage, and
when, as often happens, there are several
Of these borers in a single tree they often
cause lis death by completely girdling it.
Indeed. it is not unusual to see young
wood completely honeycombed and eaten
entirely off by the ravages of the borer.
After another winters rest the borer cuts
its way upward in the trunk of the tree,
| often going up from foot to eighteen
inches, and the following spring prepares
for its exit from the tree. In doing this
the mature larva sheds its skin and dis
closes the chrysalis. 1t remains in this
condition two or three weeks, when the
perfect beetle, having become strong and
mature cuts a smooth, round hole through
the bark OF the tree and flies out to again
lay its eggs and perpetuate its kind.
At The Pennington convention ques-
ton was asked as to liieage of the boror,
and the answer was given in accordance
with the information in The earliest books
Of Harris and Packard, 'tWo or three
years. But Mr.. Saunders says: at is
generally conceded that the borer is three
years in reaching maturity and this
seems to fix its age definitely.
The question was asked show the pres
ence of the borer could be told" Cen
orally by the fine sawdust-like castings
which the borer pushes from out of its
burrow-but these are not always seen
even though the borer may be at work in
the tree, and here is where many orchard.